Adidas pulls all-white sneaker honoring Black History Month

Posted Feb 07 2019 08:03AM EST

Updated Feb 07 2019 08:17AM EST

Adidas has pulled a shoe created in honor of Black History Month after facing backlash online.

The sneaker, an all-white Ultraboost, was part of the collection featuring designs inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, an important cultural period primarily during the 1920s that began to recognize African American contributions to the creative arts.

But some people say the color, and the coton material used to create it are, at best, tone-deaf for Black History Month.

Still tripping about this "Adidas drops an all-white shoe called “Uncaged” for Black History Month" How'd that convo go?, "Hey I have a great idea, for black history month, let's make an all white shoe!" - "That's awesome" - Idiots @Adidas@adidasUShttps://t.co/GiuR75qEYk

I walked into a @JDSports today to look at the ultra boost shoe @adidas I was told by an employee that these shoes were made to celebrate black history month. Confused the employee proceeded to tell me that the shoe was also made of cotton? Hence the all white. I am disgusted

The majority of the shoes, which are black with bold orange and purple designs that "echo the colors of the jazz ballrooms so important to the era," seem to be well-received on social media. But the white sneaker, released as part of the “Uncaged” line, drew harsh criticism for missing the mark.

Adidas has since removed the sneaker from its collection and issued a statement about the decision that said, in part: "We added a running shoe to the collection that we later felt did not reflect the spirit or philosophy of how Adidas believes we should recognize and honor Black History Month."